Patel confident of Notts' title potential.

Patel and Hales led Nottinghamshire to a competitive score of 270-9.

Samit Patel believes Nottinghamshire have a squad capable of winning the Championship this season, praising the all-round depth of the team at Trent Bridge.

“Our squad is strong and the depth we have got means we can absolutely win the title. With the likes of Paul Franks and Ajmal Shahzad not playing we have a strong depth to the team. Competition for places are going to be tough this year.“

Patel led Nottinghamshire’s recovery on the first day of the season with 93, but is more focused on his contribution to the team than anything else at present.

“I’m pretty happy, more importantly for the team. It is all about the team and where we are at as a group and as long as we win I don’t care.

Patel made 93 from 179 balls
with 12 fours and 1 six.

“I’m just focusing on scoring runs for Notts. It is good to make a contribution and that’s all I am thinking about at the minute.”

His 85-run stand for the fourth wicket with Riki Wessels got the hosts out of a tight spot after they had stumbled to 20-3 and Patel feels that they finished the first day of the season in the ascendancy.

“Partnerships are crucial in any form of the game. Riki batted exceptionally well and two partnerships over 80 slightly nudged us the day I reckon.”

Patel was also supported by World Cup sensation, Alex Hales, and Patel is confident that he has a bright future in the game after scoring 61 in todays match.

“He has had a good winter with England in my eyes and everyone knows how good a player he is. It doesn’t surprise me that he is playing well for us. He has shaped up nicely, left the ball well and done everything that we have been working on as a team.”

James Anderson continued his menacing record at Trent Bridge, claiming his seventh five-wicket haul at Nottingham as he finished with figures of 5-54.

With overcast conditions and early season wickets tending to favor the bowling side, Patel was quick to praise both teams on what he viewed as an even days play, as Nottinghamshire closed on 270-9.

“It wasn’t easy but you have got to give it to the bowlers, they were spot on today. Hopefully the batters will cash in when it comes to the summer months.

“Anything over 250 was a good score in our eyes after being stuck in to bat with the conditions of a first day pitch at Trent Bridge. We are defiantly in the hunt and if we can hone our skills we will be able to compete and our bowlers can’t wait to get out there on that wicket.

“The conditions were very bowler friendly. No one means to get out and Anderson is a world-class bowler. April and May conditions tend to favor the bowlers and you have to give it to them sometimes.”

Nottinghamshire were on the wrong side of todays toss, but Patel is looking forward to the arrival of Peter Siddle if conditions of this nature continue to play a part in the early season fixtures.

“I wish Sid [Siddle] was here tomorrow! We will be in good shape with Andre [Adams] and Sid on this wicket with these sorts of conditions. We are backing our four bowlers that we have got in the dressing room at the moment and they can’t wait to get out on that wicket – we have got to make the most of the conditions.